Model Design/Appearance (6.75)
The Olympus FE-250 is a slim and sleek pocket-sized point-and-shoot primarily constructed of matte silver metal with polished silver highlights. The clean and bright LCD on the back of the camera is definitely its most eye-catching feature. Upon second examination, the low-quality construction of many of the features and controls should make users hesitant to throw this camera into a pocket for a rough day of hiking. Because of the underwhelming construction quality, the camera is not a great choice for the rough-and-tumble or butterfingered photographer. Consider it an option if only looking to capture the occasional moment.
Size/Portability (7.0)
The Olympus FE-250 weighs in at a slight four ounces and measures 0.8 x 3.7 x 2.2 inches. This means the FE-250 fits easily into a hand, back pocket, or purse. There is an eyelet on the right side of the body for the included wrist strap. However, portable it is, durable it is not. Users should think twice before placing this camera in a situation that will exert pressure on the camera body. We recommend a camera bag to protect the FE-250.
Handling Ability (5.0)
Handling isn’t really an area where the Olympus FE-250 shines. It can be held with one hand, but probably for only a few shots. If you're planning on capturing something like a wedding day unfold, it's just not the best option - you'd likely spend as much time fiddling with the camera as tugging on your nylons. The FE-250 is missing textured pads or grips that aid in handling. It includes a small, horizontal, polished silver bar on the front of the camera for fingers of the right hand, but it doesn’t really help.
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Control Button/Dial Positioning/Size (7.0)
Buttons are quite limited on the Olympus FE-250's small surface. The mode dial utilizes both black icons and text, the four-way controller's functions are engraved, and the rest are either red or green icons.
The only control that could be radically improved is the mode dial on the back of the camera body. It’s too smooth and isn’t raised far enough from the camera body to allow for easy adjustment. The zoom ring surrounding the shutter button would also benefit from a better design; it provides minimal variations in zoom speed and stutters as it traverses the entire 3x range. The little nub that protrudes from the zoom ring is likely to cause a sore pointer finger after an extended shoot. Other controls are well-sized and spaced so users won’t need to worry about accidentally pressing multiple controls at once.
Menu (7.0)
The Olympus FE-250's menus are both text- and symbol-based. The initial screens for the Shooting and Playback modes display are made up of icons with text label overlays users can scan with the four-way control. Once a sub-menu option is selected a list-style screen opens. Switching between the two layout systems may be confusing for beginning photographers - while the menus have a simple layout, the interface is not the most intuitive.
The Camera and Playback menus open (depending on mode) when the menu button on the back of the camera is pressed. The Setup menu can only be accessed once the Shooting or Playback menus are open and the Setup sub-menu is selected from the screen of options. Access to the menu system would be greatly improved with better labeling
The Olympus FE-250's Shooting menu is called the Camera menu in the user manual and can be accessed by pressing the menu button located on the back of the camera. The Camera menu provides quick access to settings like image quality, since only one sub-menu has to be accessed, but reaching options listed deeper within the Camera menu requires a significant amount of navigation. If trying to make quick adjustments, the FE-250 menu system is going to be more of a hindrance than a help.
Unfortunately, the Shooting menu lacks live preview. Access to a live preview for the ISO settings is only possible by exiting the Shooting menu and pressing the OK/Func button located in the center of the four-way control. The function display will appear as an overlay on the LCD with a live preview shown beneath.
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Shooting Menu
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Image Quality
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SHQ (3264 x 2448), HQ ( 3264 x 2448), SQ1 (2048 x 1536), SQ2 (640 x 480), 16:9 (1920 x 1080)
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Reset
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Yes, No
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Camera Menu
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Provides access to the Camera menu settings of ISO (Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 100000), Drive mode (single, burst) microphone (Off, On), Panorama (requires xD-Picture Card)
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Setup
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Provides access to the Setup menu
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Scene
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Opens the Scene mode display when the camera is already entered into a Scene mode
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Silent mode
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Off, On
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The Playback menu can only be opened when the camera is set to the Playback mode. Once in Playback mode, the menu is accessed by the same menu button used to access the Shooting menu system. The Playback menu provides an identical initial interface to the Shooting menu system. Athough it takes some getting used to, it is reasonably easy to navigate.
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Playback Menu
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Slide-show
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Plays slideshow, no settings provided
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Resize
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640 x 480, 320 x 240, OK, back
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Print Order
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Establish print order – back, OK
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My Favorite
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View favorite, set
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Playback Menu
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Opens Playback menu and settings for protect (Off, On), rotate +90, 0, -90) and microphone (Yes, Off)
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Setup
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Opens Setup menu
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Erase
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Selected image, all erase
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Silent Mode
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Off, On
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The Setup menu is entered either through the Shooting or Playback menus. The Setup menu has a list structure interface. Adjusting camera settings and selecting sub-menu options is accomplished via the four-way control and the OK/func button. Users can choose to scan through the entire Setup menu item by item or press the left button on the four-way control, which will highlight one of three numbers listed on the left side of the LCD screen. Then the user can scan up or down to select the appropriate menu section.
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Setup Menu
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Memory format
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Yes, No
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Backup
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Copy images from internal memeory to memory card
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Language
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English, French, Spanish, and Portugese are included with the camera and other options for language can be downloaded from Olympus’ website
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Pixel Mapping
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Adjust image processing function, start
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Shooting/Playback icons
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Turn the camera on using the shooting or playback buttons, On/Off
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Monitor Brightness
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Normal, Bright
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Beep
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Off, Low, High
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Camera Warning Sound
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Off, Low, High
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Shutter Sound
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Off, Low, High
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Volume
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Off, Low to High in five levels
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Date and Time
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Year, Month, Day, and Time
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Video Out
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NTSC, PAL
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Ease of Use (7.5)
Handling the Olympus FE-250 is a bit hairy, but it is pretty straightforward to use and photographers confused by complicated interfaces will find it a welcome relief. With the inclusion of Olympus's Shooting Guide mode, the novice can get immediate answers to a number of frequently asked questions without having to peruse the user's manual. The stripped-down-to-the-basics body makes it ideal for beginners. The two-tier menu system that starts as a graphic interface and switches to a list structure is unnecessary and a bit off-putting at first, but can be used easily with a little practice.
